The Degradation of Zion

How the gold has become dim!
How changed the fine gold!
The stones of the sanctuary are [a]scattered
At the head of every street.

The precious sons of Zion,
[b]Valuable as fine gold,
How they are [c]regarded (A)as clay pots,
The work of the hands of the potter!

Even the jackals present their breasts
To nurse their young;
But the daughter of my people is cruel,
(B)Like ostriches in the wilderness.

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Footnotes

  1. Lamentations 4:1 Lit. poured out
  2. Lamentations 4:2 Lit. Weighed against
  3. Lamentations 4:2 reckoned

How is the gold become dim! how is the most fine gold changed! the stones of the sanctuary are poured out in the top of every street.

The precious sons of Zion, comparable to fine gold, how are they esteemed as earthen pitchers, the work of the hands of the potter!

Even the sea monsters draw out the breast, they give suck to their young ones: the daughter of my people is become cruel, like the ostriches in the wilderness.

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The Holy Stones Lie Scattered

(A)How the gold has grown dim,
    how the pure gold is changed!
The holy stones lie scattered
    (B)at the head of every street.

The precious sons of Zion,
    worth their weight in (C)fine gold,
how they are regarded as (D)earthen pots,
    the work of a potter's hands!

Even jackals offer the breast;
    they nurse their young;
but the daughter of my people has become cruel,
    like the ostriches in the wilderness.

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Distress of the Siege Described

How (A)dark the gold has become,
How the pure gold has changed!
The sacred stones are spilled out
At the [a]corner of every street.
The precious sons of Zion,
Weighed against pure gold,
How they are regarded as (B)earthenware jars,
The work of a potter’s hands!
Even (C)jackals offer the breast,
They nurse their young;
But the daughter of my people has proved herself (D)cruel,
Like (E)ostriches in the wilderness.

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Footnotes

  1. Lamentations 4:1 Lit head